Longtime ABC newsman John Drury succumbs to ALS

Peoria native John Drury, the longtime WLS-TV anchor whose dedication made him a beloved newsman, died Sunday in his Wheaton home from complications related to Lou Gehrig’s disease. He was 80.

Brian Hudson

John Drury, the longtime WLS-TV anchor whose dedication made him a beloved newsman, died Sunday in his Wheaton home from complications related to Lou Gehrig’s disease. He was 80.

Over the course of his almost 50-year career in television, Drury earned the respect of viewers and colleagues as a prominent and trustworthy newscaster. After he was diagnosed with the progressive muscle illness, he translated that prominence into an effort to raise money for Lou Gehrig’s disease research.

Born in Peoria in 1927, Drury was the youngest of four brothers. In 1945, he left West Aurora High School early to enlist in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

After graduating from the University of Iowa in 1950, he pursued broadcast news. Drury worked in television and radio in Iowa, Indiana and Milwaukee before returning to Chicago in 1962.

After stints at WBBM-TV/Channel 2 and WGN-TV/Channel 9, he settled down in 1984 at WLS-TV/Channel 7, where he would serve as anchor of the ABC affiliate’s 10 p.m. newscast for the remainder of his career.

As an anchor he was unmatched, remaining at the No. 1 spot in the ratings for 16 years until he retired in 2002 — an especially impressive feat in the competitive arena of Chicago broadcast news.

He was lauded throughout his career, winning Chicago Emmy awards for Individual Excellence in 1983, 1987 and 1988.

“He was the consummate news anchor — a great communicator,” said Emily Barr, ABC 7 president and general manager. “He cared deeply about his work and making sure people were informed.”

When Drury was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease in 2004, he opted to make his struggle with the illness public in order to raise money for research.

An avid collector of trains, erector sets and magic kits, he auctioned off his sets for charity.

He also would regularly sit down for interviews with ABC 7 to discuss his battle with Lou Gehrig’s disease. Barr, who called Drury’s efforts selfless, said the appearances caught the attention of longtime viewers.

“He really wanted us to use his image,” she said. “It really made a lot of people who watch us regularly sit up and take notice.”

Services for Drury will be held Friday at 2 p.m. at Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago. He is survived by his wife Ann, four children and 10 grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to either the Central DuPage Health Foundation, the Brain Research Foundation, the Muscular Dystrophy Association/ALS Division or the Les Turner ALS Foundation.